Castle of San Michele, Medieval fortress in Avella, Italy.
Castle of San Michele is a medieval stronghold perched on a hilltop overlooking the Sabato Valley with a cylindrical tower and a second defensive structure. The site displays remnants of residential buildings from different periods and features a large rectangular water cistern at its highest point.
Lombard builders constructed this strategic fortress in the 7th century to monitor the route connecting Monteforte Irpino toward the Adriatic coast. Archaeological excavations near the site later uncovered an ancient stone inscription dating to around 150 BC that documented agreements between two neighboring settlements.
The site takes its name from Saint Michael and served as an important gathering place for surrounding communities over centuries. People used the stronghold not only for defense but also as living quarters and a center for local affairs.
The site can be explored on foot, though the climb to the hilltop is steady and sturdy shoes are recommended for safety. Visitors should plan to arrive during daylight hours and exercise caution in certain areas where the ground is uneven.
The location was originally a much older settlement site that people occupied long before the medieval fortress was built. Multiple archaeological finds suggest continuous habitation here from ancient times through the Middle Ages.
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